Synergistic Ag (111) and Cu (111) texture evolution in phase segregated Cu$_{1-x}$Ag$_{x}$ magnetron sputtered composite thin films

We have investigated the evolution of texture and microstructure of Cu$_{1-x}$Ag$_{x}$ composite thin films through X-ray diffraction pole figures as a function of composition for x $\le $ 0.5. The texture evolution of Cu (111) and Ag (111) in phase-segregated Cu-Ag thin films proves to be synergistically enhanced when compared to pure copper or silver thin films. As-codeposited at room temperature, the fcc composite Cu$_{1-x}$Ag$_{x}$ grows as a phase-segregated thin film, when the Ag volume fraction represents more than 15 at. {\%} up to 50 at. {\%}, or as a single phase thin film when Ag volume fraction represents less than 15 at. {\%}. Not only is a stronger perpendicular (111) fiber texture obtained, but also an in-plane alignment of Ag (200) develops related to deposition direction and composition. By the use of transmission electron microscopy we observed a decrease in grain size in Cu-Ag composite films as compared with pure copper and silver films.